Tessa Jones - musician, dancer, yogi, and puppet maker - was drawn into the world of yoga in 2001, fascinated with a practice that was so incredibly supportive both physically and psychologically. She continues to be inspired by the way this practice brings people together and promotes truthful living. She completed her teacher training with the Downward Dog and studied with Richard Freeman in a month-long Teacher Intensive. Tessa is grateful to her teachers Ron Reid, Diane Bruni, Marla Meenakshi Joy, Michael Stone, Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor, her sister Sarah and many others who have supported her along her path.

David began counseling and teaching adults over 15 years ago while working in the Social Services field. During that time he began practicing different styles of yoga until he discovered Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. After practicing for five years he traveled to Mysore, India in 2002 to deepen his understanding of the Ashtanga Vinyasa System and begin his studies with his teacher Sharath Ragaswamy, grandson of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. After living in India for six months, David returned to Toronto and jointly opened Catfish Yoga Shala. There he had the opportunity to teach Ashtanga classes, various intensive courses and training programs. After three years, Catfish Yoga Shala merged with Downward Dog Yoga Centres founders, Diane Bruni and Ron Reid, and Downward Dog in the Beach was created.David continues to deepen his understanding of the Ashtanga Vinyasa System and the therapeutic benefits of yoga asana with a committed daily practice and regular visits to India to study. He has been blessed and Authorized by his teacher Sharath Ragaswamy, to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Respecting the tradition of Parampara, he is also thankful to Lino Miele and Ron Reid, whose guidance and patience has allowed him to complete the first three series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. With a clear understanding of anatomy, the importance of alignment in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, and that the practice is an ongoing, cumulative and therapeutic process, David encourages and teaches each student to become a self-sufficient and evolving practitioner. He is known for his clear instructions and his intuitive adjustments, guided by breath and movement that focus on the bodys natural intelligence and natural physical alignment. He brings an energy and insight to his classes, which evolves from his dedication to his practice and ongoing commitment to learning. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach celebrities along with a diverse and growing community of students. David co-authored the book The Greatest Yoga Tips in the World and is the co-owner and co-director of Downward Dog in the Beach yoga studio in Toronto. www.dgyoga.ca

David has been practicing yoga for over 25 years. An avid cyclist, initially David practiced Hatha but the natural athlete in him gravitated towards Ashtanga which he now has been studying for over 10 years. David received his teacher certification from Downward Dog yoga studio under the guidance of Ron Reid and Diane Bruni.Davids background in body work allows him to have a deeper understanding of the complexity of the human body and gives him a greater appreciation of how unique each body is from the next. This outlook has gained him many opportunities and is evident in his own practice. David has worked with numerous professional athletes, including the Buffalo Bills and the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL, as well as the Canadian National Soccer Team.David believes that students and teachers alike should always look for new methods and ideas to further there own yogic path.

Ron Reid has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years and teaching since 1988. He is co-owner and Director of the Downward Dog Yoga Centre in Toronto, Canada.Ron has studied with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath both in India and North America and was one of the first Canadian teachers to be authorized by Pattabhi Jois. In addition to regular classes at Downward Dog, he conducts workshops and teacher trainings in Canada, Europe, and the U.K. and is becoming a familiar faceat various conferences around the world.Ron is one of Canadas top teachers, approaching teaching in an inspired, informed and non-dogmatic way. He places the needs of the students ahead of the demands of the practice. While continuing to teach and practice the ashtanga vinyasa system as a foundation, he endeavors to blend tradition with innovation, and to balance precision with grace. Students will find his refined approach to practice both challenging and rewarding.Ron is also an accomplished musician and composer and performs with his partner Marla Meenakshi Joy under their group name Swaha www.swaha.ca Ron teaches with intelligence. His adjustments suit the individual needs of the students. I personally found his adjustments were the best I have received fromany teacher. I have very high regard for him as an exceptional teacher.-ELIZABETH CONNOLLY, Yoga Teacher and teacher trainerWhen I think of a yogi, I think of Ron Reid. He teaches from what he has learned from his many years of practice, you can feel that. Even if you've been practicing for years and years he makes you feel curious and excited about yoga through his soft-spoken, humorous and extremely intelligent way of teaching. He knows the body and how it works and he teaches you how to keep it healthy. At the same time his classes are challenging and hot. He makes you want to move to Toronto!!-KRISTIN LEIGH, yoga teacher and co-owner of The Shala Yoga Studio in New YorkArticle link: The Yogi's Yogi, National Post

Amica's first taste of yoga came when, as a child, she accompanied her mom to yoga classes, where she developing a taste for movement, relaxation and focused practice. Amica studied dance--both contemporary and creative movement--for over 12 years and moved to Toronto in 2003 to purse a professional career in the arts. It was her passion for movement that led her to begin practicing yoga in her late teens, initially as a means of complementing her dance training. These classes deeply affected her, and soon she sought out different styles of practice and various teachers in the city before discovering Ashtanga yoga and The Downward Dog Yoga Centre, where she felt a true connection. The practice intrigued her and she felt compelled to direct energy to its study. Amica completed her teacher training at Downward Dog in 2006, marking the beginning of a devoted and loving commitment to explore, teach and continually rediscover its many benefits. On her journey, she feels blessed to have had the strength and support of the practice to carry her forward in its truly magical way. Amica continues to learn and build her practice with the help of her teachers Ron Reid, Diane Bruni, Delia Triolo, Marla Joy, and David Gellineau.

Diane Bruni has been studying various forms of yoga for over thirty years. Having worked full time as a hands-on healer, her knowledge of the human body and its many interconnected layers adds an unparalleled dimension to her teaching.Diane's exploration of yoga began in 1978 at the age of 19, when she attended a white tantric yoga weekend under the guidance of Yogi Bajhan. This transformative experience led her to Kundalini yoga, which she practiced with the local community in Toronto at that time. Most significantly, the practice of yoga sparked her awareness of the subtle energies within the body. In 1980, Diane began formal studies is Eastern healing techniques with Mittsuki Kikkawa and in 1983 she graduated from the Kikkawa College of Shiatsu and Massage Therapy. Diane's yoga practice would provide a constant source of energy to fuel her work as a Shiatsu Therapist as well as an opportunity for studying the human body and its many interconnected layers.In 1984, Diane met Lisa Schwartz, whose vigorous and compelling classes channeled the teachings of Krishnamarchya, teacher of both BKS Iyengar and Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In the years to follow, Diane went on to study various schools of yoga, and in 1993 discovered the Ashtanga series at a workshop with Richard Freeman. It was Richard's exquisite teaching of breath and bandhas that inspired her to delve deeper into the eight-limbed practice of Ashtanga. At that time there were no Ashtanga teachers in Canada. Diane pursued her practice in isolation until her enthusiasm could not be contained and she began to share with friends her insights into vinyasa yoga. Before long she was teaching classes at the newly opened Yoga Studio in Toronto.In 1997 Diane and Ron Reid opened the Downward Dog Yoga Centre and Toronto's burgeoning yoga community now had a home. The evolution of Downward Dog has provided Diane and Ron a forum for the development and exploration of this vital living tradition.Diane brings a therapeutic approach to the traditional yoga context, through classes that synthesize everything she has learnt over the years from her teachers and students alike. Through all of Diane's pursuits in yoga, she strives to understand and support the needs of the individual, approaching each class as a gateway to a magical healing journey. In 2000, she was able to communicate this approach to mass audiences, filming 65 half-hour episodes of Breathing Space Yoga. The show has been airing around the world ever since, and is today shown regularly on channel ONE. Diane is thankful to the Toronto community for its continuing support, and hopes that Downward Dog will continue to be a part of the vibrant Queen West community for a long time to come.Article link: The Upside of Downward Dog, girlphyte.com

Teacher biography currently being updated.

After completing a degree in Comparative Religion Delia went on to become a Registered Massage Therapist. Always a student of the mind body connection and having earned black belt in Karate, Delia continued her search for a discipline that embraced these elements. She found and practices Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.Delia received her teacher training at the Downward Dog Yoga Centre in Toronto. She has traveled extensively in India studying yoga with Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharath Rangaswamy, Venkatesh and Barath Shetty.Delia currently practices and teaches yoga in Toronto with Ron Reid and has taken workshops and teacher training with Matthew Sweeney, Danny Paradise, Chuck Miller, Maty Ezraty and Richard Freeman.

Diane Bruni has been studying various forms of yoga for over thirty years. Having worked full time as a hands-on healer, her knowledge of the human body and its many interconnected layers adds an unparalleled dimension to her teaching.Diane's exploration of yoga began in 1978 at the age of 19, when she attended a white tantric yoga weekend under the guidance of Yogi Bajhan. This transformative experience led her to Kundalini yoga, which she practiced with the local community in Toronto at that time. Most significantly, the practice of yoga sparked her awareness of the subtle energies within the body. In 1980, Diane began formal studies is Eastern healing techniques with Mittsuki Kikkawa and in 1983 she graduated from the Kikkawa College of Shiatsu and Massage Therapy. Diane's yoga practice would provide a constant source of energy to fuel her work as a Shiatsu Therapist as well as an opportunity for studying the human body and its many interconnected layers.In 1984, Diane met Lisa Schwartz, whose vigorous and compelling classes channeled the teachings of Krishnamarchya, teacher of both BKS Iyengar and Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In the years to follow, Diane went on to study various schools of yoga, and in 1993 discovered the Ashtanga series at a workshop with Richard Freeman. It was Richard's exquisite teaching of breath and bandhas that inspired her to delve deeper into the eight-limbed practice of Ashtanga. At that time there were no Ashtanga teachers in Canada. Diane pursued her practice in isolation until her enthusiasm could not be contained and she began to share with friends her insights into vinyasa yoga. Before long she was teaching classes at the newly opened Yoga Studio in Toronto.In 1997 Diane and Ron Reid opened the Downward Dog Yoga Centre and Toronto's burgeoning yoga community now had a home. The evolution of Downward Dog has provided Diane and Ron a forum for the development and exploration of this vital living tradition.Diane brings a therapeutic approach to the traditional yoga context, through classes that synthesize everything she has learnt over the years from her teachers and students alike. Through all of Diane's pursuits in yoga, she strives to understand and support the needs of the individual, approaching each class as a gateway to a magical healing journey. In 2000, she was able to communicate this approach to mass audiences, filming 65 half-hour episodes of Breathing Space Yoga. The show has been airing around the world ever since, and is today shown regularly on channel ONE. Diane is thankful to the Toronto community for its continuing support, and hopes that Downward Dog will continue to be a part of the vibrant Queen West community for a long time to come.Article link: The Upside of Downward Dog, girlphyte.com

David began counseling and teaching adults over 15 years ago while working in the Social Services field. During that time he began practicing different styles of yoga until he discovered Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. After practicing for five years he traveled to Mysore, India in 2002 to deepen his understanding of the Ashtanga Vinyasa System and begin his studies with his teacher Sharath Ragaswamy, grandson of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. After living in India for six months, David returned to Toronto and jointly opened Catfish Yoga Shala. There he had the opportunity to teach Ashtanga classes, various intensive courses and training programs. After three years, Catfish Yoga Shala merged with Downward Dog Yoga Centres founders, Diane Bruni and Ron Reid, and Downward Dog in the Beach was created.David continues to deepen his understanding of the Ashtanga Vinyasa System and the therapeutic benefits of yoga asana with a committed daily practice and regular visits to India to study. He has been blessed and Authorized by his teacher Sharath Ragaswamy, to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Respecting the tradition of Parampara, he is also thankful to Lino Miele and Ron Reid, whose guidance and patience has allowed him to complete the first three series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. With a clear understanding of anatomy, the importance of alignment in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, and that the practice is an ongoing, cumulative and therapeutic process, David encourages and teaches each student to become a self-sufficient and evolving practitioner. He is known for his clear instructions and his intuitive adjustments, guided by breath and movement that focus on the bodys natural intelligence and natural physical alignment. He brings an energy and insight to his classes, which evolves from his dedication to his practice and ongoing commitment to learning. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach celebrities along with a diverse and growing community of students. David co-authored the book The Greatest Yoga Tips in the World and is the co-owner and co-director of Downward Dog in the Beach yoga studio in Toronto. www.dgyoga.ca

Teacher biography currently being updated.

Christine Felstead has over 20 years experience as a marathon and other common road race distances. Her yoga journey started in 1997 with a casual once a week yoga class to complement her fitness. ttending Downward Dogs first yoga retreat in Hawaii changed her definition of fit and led to replacing her running shoes with a yoga mat. After completing Downward Dogs 2001-2002 Teacher Training program, Christines efforts as an instructor have focused on the athletic body. Her work with runners teaches them to incorporate yoga as an effective means of cross training in order to reduce risk of injury and become a stronger and healthier runner. With the gaining popularity of her Yoga for Runners program, she launched her first DVD: Christine Felsteads Yoga for Runners: The Essentials. Further details: www.yogaforrunners.com